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If you most enjoy learning about the world through world-class cuisine, you might just want to extend your stay in Slovenia. Slovenian chefs who are advocates of local ingredients and authentic creativity will impress even the most demanding gourmets! Foodies can find something to enjoy in all corners of Slovenia.
Visit the best chefs
True gourmets know that everything depends on fresh and truly high-quality ingredients. What the most renowned Slovenian chefs have in common is that they have the best ingredients at hand: Ana Roš from Hiša Franko finds the ingredients for her masterpieces in nature along the River Soča, Janez Bratovž from the JB Restaurant gets them from his garden and field and at the famous Ljubljana marketplace, and Tomaž Kavčič from the Pri Lojzetu Restaurant at the Zemono Maner uses the traditional “poor man’s ingredients” of the Vipava Valley. Each of them combines their creativity and local ingredients to create unique cuisine worthy of prestigious world titles and accolades.
Ana Roš, World's Best Female Chef 2017, Hiša Franko, Kobarid
Ana Roš is a member of the Gelinaz collective of chefs and was named the greatest talent of 2015 by the Jeunes Restaurateus d'Europe association. She is the only female chef among the renowned Cook it Raw group, one of only six chefs featured in the Netflix series Chef’s Table, and featured in a film about European visionary chefs. She creates her masterpieces in an inviting country house in the Soča Valley. Visit the greatest ambassador of gourmet Slovenia.
Janez Bratovž, JB Restaurant, Ljubljana
This is a chef who is a proponent of combining the elements of earth, water, air, and fire and sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavours. He is the heart of the JB Restaurant, which is on the San Pellegrino’s Top 100 World’s Best Restaurant list. The restaurant was among the top ten restaurants on the following list You can taste Janez Bratovž’s masterpieces in the centre of Ljubljana.
Tomaž Kavčič, the most innovative European chef of 2017, the restaurant "Pri Lojzetu", Zemono Manor House, Vipavska dolina
Currently the only Slovenian winner of the prestigious Italian Cuoco d'Oro award, he is carrying on his 120-year family tradition in the restaurant business in his own creative way. The Pri Lojzetu Restaurant was among the pioneers of the slow food movement, and Chef Kavčič has cooked for heads of governments in Brussels and made an impression at the Expo in Milan by combining traditional cuisine and his own creativity. The Association of Young Restaurateurs JRE (Jeunes Restaurateurs) declared Tomaž Kavčič the most innovative European chef of 2017!
Igor Stankovič, Villa Herberstein, Velenje
On a panoramic hill above Velenje, just a short distance from the town centre, you’ll find the Villa Herberstein, where you can enjoy a cosmopolitan culinary experience. Chef Igor Stankovič and his team will make sure of it. He honed his craft and creativity studying under Chef Andrej Kuhar, the only Slovenian chef with a Michelin star.
The best in Slovenia chosen by Gault & Millau
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Or every man to his taste. The selection of one of the world's gastronomic giants Gault & Millau is undoubtedly worth following. Its critics stopped by in Slovenia and selected the best Slovenian restaurants. Would you like to know which ones? Check out who the best individuals are and which gastronomic hubs are the most popular in Slovenia, too.
Excellence in all parts of Slovenia
Chefs who learned from great master chefs and who have extensive and unique experience create their own culinary masterpieces in numerous restaurants and inns (gostilnas) in all regions of Slovenia. When discovering the best chefs, look out for the certificates of excellence acquired with the help of ratings published by TripAdvisor users and the recommendations of critics and connoisseurs.
Ljubljana: Strelec
This restaurant located at the Ljubljana Castle attracts visitors with its round shape and tables placed next to windows commanding fine views, as well as with the excellent cuisine of the chef Igor Jagodic, who uses local seasonal ingredients.
Maribor: Mak
The world-class cuisine in the city at the foot of the Pohorje Hills will impress you with its element of surprise and the creativity of the chef David Vračko, who gained his experience from renowned kitchens around the world. At this restaurant without a menu, guests give themselves up to the inspiration of the chef himself. Culinary workshops are also offered.
Central Slovenia: Pavus – Tabor Castle, Laško
At the castle dominating the health resort town of Laško, Marko Pavčnik creates dishes full of flavour, colours, and textures. He uses local ingredients, especially those that grow in the wild. The chef also organises culinary workshops in the kitchen of this castle restaurant.
Pannonian Slovenia: Rajh, Murska Sobota
At this renowned traditional Prekmurje inn, Tanja Pintarič carries on the tradition of authentic Prekmurje dishes, but she also creatively transforms them with lighter flavours and makes them visually more appealing. The ingredients are not only locally produced, but they also reflect the stories of this landscape.
Osteria Debeluh, Brežice
Would you like to know how to give dishes from grill the seal of world-class cuisine? In the heart of Brežice, the chef Jure Tomič will undoubtedly convince you that this is possible. With his creativity he skilfully combines the traditional cuisine of the Brežice area with global trends. The dishes are simple, but the ingredients are always of the highest quality.
Alpine Slovenia: Vila Podvin, Radovljica
Not far from sweet Radovljica, known for its honey-making tradition, chef Uroš Štefelin upgrades old Slovenian and Gorenjska dishes with modern techniques and his own creativity, thus developing new Slovenian cuisine. The chef also owns a cooking school with various workshops.
Karst Slovenia: Gostilnica Ruj Restaurant, Dutovlje
In this place known for its Teran wine and prosciutto festival, chef Peter Patajac and his wife Vildana create genuine karst dishes with the very best local ingredients. He returned to his roots after years of working in world-class restaurants in Slovenia and abroad and after competing in numerous international competitions.
Mediterranean Slovenia: Hiša Torkla, Korte
Head to the inland areas of the Adriatic coast, to the heart of the Istria Peninsula, where an old stone olive mill is home to the creative genius of chef Sebastijan Kovačič. His unique Istrian cuisine is complemented by a rich selection of wines.
Slovenia - crossroads of gastronomic worlds
Due to its geographic position, Slovenia connects four different worlds, which is also reflected in its gastronomy. Both traditional and haute cuisine put much emphasis on high-quality, locally-produced ingredients, which provide a fullness of flavours. Diversity, creativity, and commitment to the principle ‘from the garden to the table’ have been increasingly placing Slovenia on the European gastronomic map. Its gastronomic image enjoys additional prestige due to world-class events and unique gastronomic experiences.
Taste Slovenia
Original cuisine is delightful to taste and enjoyable to experience. Choose your experience from the 84 pages of the 2021 European Region of Gastronomy brochure, where Slovenia is presented not only a superb food destination, but also as a land of excellent wines and honey. Besides the authentic flavours of four Slovenian regions, you will get to know the best chefs, top-rated restaurants and inns, culinary events, delicious souvenirs and much more.